Sex, syringes and the HIV epidemic Russia can no longer ignore
The Guardian - "With Russia’s HIV infection rate continuing to spiral, activists say the state can no longer drag its heels over improved treatment and prevention measures.
Taking shelter briefly from the 20-degree cold in an activist group’s van near the outskirts of Moscow, Ivan, 26, recounted his closest call with HIV. He was shooting heroin with a group of people and didn’t have his own syringe, so the next man over offered him his own. Ivan was about to take it when an acquaintance warned him the man was “sick” – that he was HIV positive.
“That’s how people I know got infected, they shared syringes or slept with someone,” Ivan said. “Not everyone says that they are ill. Some don’t say anything so they won’t diminish their self-esteem.”